Adarsh Gourav, the BAFTA-nominated actor, is garnering praise for his role as Slightly in Ridley Scott's "Alien: Earth". The American science fiction horror television series, created by Noah Hawley, is a prequel set two years before the events of the original 1979 film, Alien. Gourav, who is the only Indian actor in Alien: Earth, plays a synthetic child in the series.
Gourav described playing a 10-year-old in the sci-fi series as both "liberating and challenging". He said that it was unlike anything he has ever done before. He explained that the role constantly reminded him to think less like an adult and more like a child experiencing everything for the first time.
To prepare for the role, Gourav spent a lot of time observing children, noting how they react to situations, ask questions, and display unpredictability. He wanted to bring that authenticity to the screen. According to Gourav, children possess a sense of abandon and freedom that adults often lose, and he aimed to capture that essence in his performance.
Gourav also participated in workshops in Bangkok led by a child psychologist named April. These sessions involved activities like drawing, making clay sculptures, sharing childhood stories, and interacting with their own "childhood versions" through playful activities. Gourav found these workshops to be both therapeutic and insightful. In addition, he watched hours of content on YouTube, particularly "HiHo Kids," where children engage with people from different walks of life and ask unexpected, innocent questions. This reminded him of how differently children perceive the world.
The actor also revealed the rigorous audition process he underwent to secure the role of Slightly. Gourav stated that he had to go through over 150 auditions before finally landing the part. He described it as his most challenging audition process so far. The opportunity came when he had almost stopped expecting it.
Alien: Earth is set in the 22nd century. The series follows a young woman and a group of tactical soldiers who encounter Earth's greatest threat after a space vessel crash-lands. The series premiered on August 12, 2025, on FX and FX on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ internationally. The series features performances by Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, and Timothy Olyphant.
Before landing this role, Gourav worked in a tea stall to prepare for his role in The White Tiger. He has also appeared in Explorations alongside Meryl Streep and Kit Harington, as well as in Hostel Daze, Guns & Gulaabs, and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. Gourav is currently filming Tu Ya Main with Shanaya Kapoor, directed by Bejoy Nambiar and produced by Anand L Rai.
